ACCEPTED AND PROMOTED BY FIFA AND UEFA

Here we go! The referee blows the whistle to signal the start of the match. Friendly match between the second team of "Borussia 09 Düsseldorf" and "SC 08 Schiefbahn". The Players get straight down to business. When a small underdog plays against an established Bundesliga team, it's all about honour. However, a few things are different in this game today: the players are not wearing their normal studded or cam shoes for the pitch as usual, but have run out in shoes with special AG soles - AG stands for artificial ground. The shoes were specially developed for use on artificial turf and feature numerous short tread elements to ensure optimum grip. The die-hard football observer quickly realises that the focus here is on Artificial turf played. A welcome change for the players, who normally play and train on natural grass. The heavy rainfall
of the past few days have led to this decision.

Artificial turf pitches enjoy increasing popularityThis is also to protect the natural turf pitches, which require a lot of maintenance. But what exactly is an artificial pitch?

Artificial turf is a synthetically produced carpet that is very similar in texture and appearance to real natural turf. The possible uses for artificial turf are many and varied and are used both in commercial as well as in the private sector used intensively. The use on sports fields, for example for hockey pitches or particularly often for football pitches, has become very popular in recent years, especially when the weather has become more unstable.

Artificial turf surfaces are now used in exhibition spaces, at events and trade fairs, on playgrounds and in private areas in gardens, on balconies and on roofs.

Sustainability and environmental protection are at the top of the agenda in all areas today. In order to fulfil this requirement, companies pay particular attention when manufacturing artificial turf and the granules or elastic layers that are essential for playing on it to ensure that the synthetic materials remain at their destination and are not released into the environment, or if at all, then only to a very small extent. The optimal construction and installation of artificial turf pitches and
Proper maintenance and responsible behaviour on and around these play areas help to ensure that the political and social requirements can be met.

Artificial turf as an economical alternative to grass pitches

Producers develop hard-wearing artificial turf surfaces and utilise Granuleswhich can be used to the highest degree. To do this, they often use Recycled rubber granulate back. The Genan GmbH for example, offers infill granules for artificial turf pitches that consist of 100 percent recycled old tyres. In this way, environmentally harmful waste is professionally disposed of and recycled. Artificial turf can have many advantages for football pitches. The main advantage is that it can be played on permanently - all year round and around the clock. However, attention is also paid to the suitability of the artificial turf for certified pitches. In order to withstand the rigours of a football match,
an artificial turf surface must be able to withstand the strain of being played on. And for a very long time. These loads should be equalised with the production and the right material. Long service life with the corresponding quality achieve.

A sports turf is generally longer and finer than a normal artificial turf. Particularly in regions where harsh and rough weather conditions prevail, artificial turf pitches come into their own.
increasingly being used. In Germany, Bundesliga football clubs do not use artificial pitches for competitions, but artificial pitches are often used for training sessions from the First to the Fourth Division in order to protect the real grass pitches and thus save costs in the long term. The maintenance of artificial turf is significantly
less expensive than real grass. This makes it easy to understand the popularity of artificial turf with all its advantages. Artificial turf pitches are now used by
fully accepted by the major football organisations such as FIFA and UEFA. They are now officially permitted for all leagues, even for the Champions League and World Cup.

Success factors: bedding granulate and elastic layer

Once an artificial turf pitch has been put into operation, one factor is decisive for its quality and the characteristics of the pitch: the infill granules. Together with the sand as a stabilising layer, it forms the infill layer and can achieve a number of effects due to its composition. If the infill granules are too fine, the turf surface compacts too much and does not offer sufficient elasticity. If it is too coarse, this has a negative effect on ball bounce behaviour because too much energy is absorbed. At the company Genan different grain sizes are offered for artificial turf pitches for this reason. These range from "fine" to "medium". Bedding granulate must be refilled from time to time despite its longevity.
In order to reduce or, if possible, completely avoid refilling, the manufacturers recommend regular maintenance of the artificial turf pitches.

When creating artificial turf pitches, particular attention is paid to the Elastic layer laid. It is used for force reduction (reduction of impacts and shocks) and is made from high-quality rubber granules. When constructing sports facilities and artificial turf pitches, there are two possible methods for creating the elastic layer. On the one hand, this layer can be
in-situ, whereby rubber granules are mixed with a polyurethane binder. In the other method, prefabricated rubber mats are assembled.

New options for smaller spaces

In the meantime, a new variant is often used for the construction or conversion of football pitches and schoolyards. Modernisation taken into consideration.

Artificial turf panels in 1 x 1 metre format are excellent for installation and give unattractive, dilapidated playing surfaces an attractive, modern look. Once installed, there is no
further Maintenance effort required. A thin layer of long-pile artificial turf is applied to a slab of rubber granules.

The elasticity of the artificial turf panels minimises the risk of injury and the surface also withstands permanent loads.

Water pollution from artificial turf?

According to a study by the Danish Technological Institute, the annual discharge of a football pitch into the groundwater is estimated at 2.5 to 36 kg. With the right pitch design, proper maintenance and responsible behaviour, these limited quantities can be reduced almost completely. There are various options available to prevent the escape of grit. Fencing off the pitches, collecting areas with special mats, installing boards, knocking out shoes after the game and using special cleaning equipment all help to reduce the amount of grit to an absolute minimum.

FIFA is in favour of artificial turf - why is that?

Artificial turf pitches are advantageous in many respects. They do not dry out, are more durable and, in the long term, more cost-effective and much more economical overall. In addition, the Football Association would also like to promote the sport more in third world countries. Here, water shortages are often a serious issue. This makes it possible to develop many talents
also in the poorer countries.

Is there a general health risk for players on an artificial turf pitch?

In general, according to the current established according to the state of scientific knowledge that there is no increased health risks for people when playing of an artificial turf pitch. Not even if the main components for the production of the Pitches made from recycled old tyres were won. In a study published in 2017
of the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency*), these statements were confirmed.

There is no reason to discourage people from playing sports on artificial turf. While there is a risk of abrasions when straddling first-generation artificial turf pitches
This is no longer the case with modern courts, nor are the players exposed to dust, as the granules are thoroughly cleaned before use.